Root, Bayliss dismiss 'outrageous' fixing claims

England's leaders rubbish reports England were involved in a fixed match against India in 2016

AFP

28 May 2018, 07:49 AM AEST

Pakistan claim resounding victory over England

England captain Joe Root and coach Trevor Bayliss both described allegations their side fixed aspects of a Test against India at Chennai in 2016 as "outrageous".

After England's nine-wicket defeat by Pakistan in the first Test at Lord's on Sunday, Root was asked to comment on the allegations made in a programme about spot-fixing to be broadcast later Sunday by the Al Jazeera television channel.

"I am aware that there is a documentary and it is outrageous that our players have been accused," Root told the BBC.

"It's not anything for the guys to worry about," said Root, who labelled the allegations "ridiculous".

"All the players have been briefed by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), and been told there's absolutely nothing to worry about," Root insisted.

The top-order batsman put his faith in the International Cricket Council to judge the worth of the Al Jazeera documentary, adding: "I've just been told to strongly deny the accusations, because it sounds quite ridiculous really.

"It's for the ICC to sort out – they're the people in charge - and if there's anything to it they'll look into it.

He went on to voice his frustration at not receiving a full copy of the documentary well in advance of transmission, or any unedited material the board could then share with the ICC.

It was a point echoed by Alex Marshall, the head of the ICC's anti-corruption unit.

Having seen the documentary and launched an investigation, Marshall said: "We have been in ongoing dialogue with the broadcaster which has refused our continual requests to cooperate and share information which has hampered our investigation to date.

"The content of the programme, is of course useful to the investigation, but I would now urge the production team to provide us with all unedited and unseen evidence they are in possession of, to enable us to expedite a thorough investigation.

"Given this is a live investigation and one that is likely to be subject to the legal process, it is not possible to provide any further comment."

Both the ECB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India said they fully supported the ICC's efforts to rid the game of corruption.

Meanwhile Sunday also saw Sri Lanka Cricket suspend a player and a groundsman who, according to Al Jazeera, allegedly agreed to tamper with the pitch to alter the result of an upcoming Test against England as police announced they would an investigate the claims.

The documentary also alleged the Chennai fixture had fallen prey to spot-fixing, where specific incidents in games can be manipulated to achieve betting coups without corrupting one side or another to lose on purpose.

The programme also contained allegations of match-fixing in games featuring both England and Australia in Sri Lanka.

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